CSX Fitchburg Secondary Discussion

F74265A wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 8:18 pm Rail train eastbound on the b&a bound for framingham
No idea what it is for but the fitchburg secondary could use a lot more rail to add to what was dropped last year

Last I checked, the CWR that was laid between Rt 20 (Main St) and the existing CWR near Lyman St still has not been laid.....

Knucklehead2 wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2024 3:56 pm

F74265A wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 8:18 pm Rail train eastbound on the b&a bound for framingham
No idea what it is for but the fitchburg secondary could use a lot more rail to add to what was dropped last year

Last I checked, the CWR that was laid between Rt 20 (Main St) and the existing CWR near Lyman St still has not been laid.....

Typing too fast.... the CWR that was DROPPED last year between those two locations is still along side the tracks and has not been laid yet.

Rail train for the former Ag Branch RR is still in Framingham. I was told today they were going to drop starting in Leominster but we shall see.

I've noticed materials being mobilized over the last couple of weeks south of Clinton. In particular Bolton Station has had ties show up along with three good sized piles of tie plates. A CSX ten wheeler has been parked there and a contractor high rail boom truck has been there on and off.

Today was a rail drop (115RE) through the area from some point in Clinton and southward. I got caught up in a big traffic mess through the Bolton crossing area as they were moving slowly dropping north of the intersection. Train completely came to a stop at one point for the crew to cut the two section of rails. Crossing was blocked for at least 45 minutes. I have pics and video that I will try to post in the next day or two. After dark the train had backed from Berlin towards Clinton and might have tied down for the night north of Bolton Station.

No rail dropped north of the Worcester Main bridge at least up to Sterling as far as I could tell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIKJMg40vVQ

healthy traffic in leominster
Teknor in the background has tank cars

That day was a bit on the lighter side - WinWaste (formerly UMM) can get as many as 18 in and 18 out and it's very cool watching them switch it. Teknor generally keeps 2-3 tank cars and 2-3 hoppers and also excellent to watch them work. I was actually standing next to the videographer in that clip.

CSX Rail gang headed north from Framingham today with 17 pieces. Should start work
Tomorrow.

I saw the lumber facility in Sterling being switched at 3:30pm yesterday (Monday). Other freight, including C&D waster cars also on the train.

Work taking place south of High Street in Clinton today. New rail is installed with new tie plates up to the Bolton Road crossing. One crew is cutting up the old rail but majority of equipment and effort is taking place south of the Bolton Road crossing. Looks like they're continuing the installation of the new rail from that point south.

Lots of rail construction machines on the track between the Rt 62 crossing and Sterling St crossing in Lancaster. Looks to be changing ties and ballast on the old stick rail and crossing upgrades. Maybe CWR later?

I was surprised to see Mechanic St crossing in Leominster was redone. The track on the Fitchburg side looks pretty sketchy.

There's not much track at all on the other side and do they even cross there anymore? I guess they still have to do a runaround just before the crossing. Maybe something in the works for the old yard?

They very much still use the crossing as part of their runaround; here's a shot from May:

The MOW equipment is tied down tonight on the "main" line north of Bolton Station, not Clinton siding as is usual practice.

SpiderHill wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 7:55 pm The MOW equipment is tied down tonight on the "main" line north of Bolton Station, not Clinton siding as is usual practice.

Last weekend the equipment was all packed into the seldom-used Mass Container siding in Marlborough.

Also, as of last weekend, it appears as if most of the CWR that was dropped, but never installed in Northborough from Rt. 20 south to the existing CWR near Lyman St has been installed.